This from the Cynthia Crossen, Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2006.
"The word "happy" is derived from an Old Norse word, happ, meaning chance or luck; the word "hapless," from the same root, means unfortunate. Until the past two centuries, happiness was considered a gift of God or the gods; people could pursue it, but they couldn't control it, and they certainly couldn't will it. That notion also changed in the 20th century, as attaining happiness became a question of mind over matter. In 1952, Norman Vincent Peale's bestselling book, "The Power of Positive Thinking," declared, "You can think your way to success and happiness.""
This is a statue of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, which I pass everyday on my way to work. It's in front of the Marble Collegiate Church at 29th and 5th Avenue in New York City where Dr. Peale was a minister for years and years.
Frankly it kind of gives me the heebie jeebies.
For one reason he looks very much like my grandfather--who was sort of a Quaker minister--with whom I was not close. For another I've always thought of his famous, bestselling work The Power of Positive Thinking as a crock. And finally his worldview--or what I imagine it to be--is at odds with mine. Now mind you I haven't actually read the book. But somehow, long ago, I developed this attitude about Dr. Peale and his theory--a theory for which I have an a priori contempt. Why? I suppose my entrenched persona as the cynical observer with one foot towards the door might have something to do with it.
I'll read the book someday and report back.
2 comments:
Note - More grist for the mill of cynicism: see the scene from the cult phenomenon Grey Gardens where the Beales listen to Dr. Peales's radio broadcast. It's truly scary!
You know I finally did read it and I wish I could evoke my sense of disappointment--if not surprise--without being impolite...but I can't: it's a load of crap.
And dangerous crap at that. This society has developed quite a capacity for holding illusions so tightly that truth becomes the enemy. There is no doubt that an individual with a good attitude can get more things done. But to believe that positive thinking somehow magically affects the outcome otherwise is a chump's wager (not Pascal's).
Post a Comment